Houston, TX British USA Dealership

[trey3]

Does anyone out there use British USA in Houston for service? I just had my Speed Triple serviced there and it was the worst experience ever. They damage my oil sump when the put it on the lift. Even though I live 2.5 hours away they only offered a loaner for the weekend no longer. It took 2.5 weeks to fix what they had damaged. They called and told me it was ready and when I drove back to Houston I cranked it up to load it in the back of my truck I discovered a huge exhaust leak by my right ankle. They took it back tightened it a little and told me it was good. It was still leaking. They damaged the gasket where the slip-on meets the headers when they replaced the oil sump they destroyed. They offered no solution and just looked at me as if I was crazy. The service dept does not have any type of quality control. They are lazy and sloppy. The manager wouldn't to talk to me. After I gave them the option of a loaner bike until they fix my bike and deliver it to my house or replacing it with a 2011 model on their showroom, they decided to cannibalize the gasket off of the floor model. So after two trips to Houston (160 mile one way) and hours around their shop in frustration I finally took my S3 home. I will never use that dealership again and will warn others to steer clear.

[ryanjfitz]

Sorry to hear....


I didn't exactly have a good first service at Fredericktown Yamaha Triumph either in MD... That's pretty much par for the course for Triumph dealers I'm afraid.


There is a very good reason 90% of the guys on this site do all their own servicing.


There is a good Honda/ Suzuki dealer in my town, when it comes time to check the valves I'm going to bring it to them.





One of Triumph's biggest weaknesses is its dealer support, or should I say lack of... I don't know of one reputable example anywhere remotely close to me. D&D in Norfolk sucks. Pete's in Bmore? No experience with them personally, but I've heard quite a few bad things. Clinton Cycles in MD sucks. And Fredericktown sucks.

[Chewie.]

Is this just Triumph dealers in 'murrica, or are most motorcycle dealers douchebags?

[ryanjfitz]

I have good experiences with that Honda/ Suzuki dealer... I think they have Kawis too. I've heard good things about other jap dealers in the area...


Have never bought a bike there, but the salesmen actually seem to give a shit and know about the bikes on their floor. When I was at Fredericktown waiting on my first service (that they tried to charge me $300 for) a bunch of people walked in and out of the showroom.. where was the salesman? At his desk, looking at pictures on facebook of some girlies. I tried talking to him a couple times about bikes on the floor, I knew more than he did about them...


Went to Battley Cycles in Gaithersburg, MD (BMW/ Ducati/ Yamaha) last weekend to meet up with some peoples & see a stunt show. Before the show I was inside looking around, BSing with the salesmen & service guys. ALL of them were knowledgeable about the bikes and friendly to boot.


Long story short: there are good & bad dealers of every brand. I know of good dealers. None of those good dealers happen to carry Triumphs, which is a damn shame. I do not know of, nor have any personal experience with one singular good Triumph dealer.


I have heard good things about the Triumph dealer in Detroit though.

[jeepers777]

I had problems with the dealers here and posted about it too.I even went as far as to contact triumph usa in GA and they told me they wouldnt honer the courtesy recall I had for my front brakes ,they only do that stuff for a year.Screw them work on it yourself or get to be friends with someone that takes a lil pride.
dealers=

[trippin green]

hey tatt, what happened at fredericktown?

[antisocial]

both of the triumph dealers near me are good. Triumph Detroit and Thiel's Wheels (in upper sandusky, oh). Both places are run by decent people and their techs do good work.

personally, my 09 speedy has had 2 service experiences with the folks in Detroit (500 mile service, and trans rebuild), and both have been excellent. The techs are triumph junkies who take pride in their work, and they don't give you grief if you need a warranty repair. I will say that it is hard to get into Triumph Detroit for service, as they are always very busy(which should tell you something.)

this is a little of topic, but gives you an idea about this guy's obsession with all things motorcycle
http://bloodfalcons.blogspot.com/
this is put together mostly by the lead tech on his spare time

[ryanjfitz]

Anti: I'm mad jelly. You're lucky. Send some of those fellas out this way, willya?



Trippin: well, on top of them charging me $300 for a ****ing oil change, the salesman not giving a shit nor knowing anything about the bikes on his floor, they didn't know how to clear the wrench icon on the 2011 display, they WAAY overfilled the oil- when I got home I checked it, and it was up on the round part of the dipstick by a good 5mm at least. Called them back about this, asked them how much oil they put in- 4 qts. And it seemed like more, they probably filled the filter first too. The service manager offered nothing to make it right other than "bring it back here and we'll take out the excess." Really?


I was not impressed in the slightest by anything I saw there. It's a pretty safe bet that I'll never return. Shit, if I need any warranty work done I just might drive out to Detroit.

[trippin green]

**** dude shit must of gone down hill since 08... they hooked me up with price, service, and tune load... and got me fat bars and arrow 3-1

[antisocial]

Another detail I left out is that from day 1, they knew I planned on doing my own service, as I run a shop. They advised me that doing my service was no problem, but strongly suggested that I let them do the 500 mile service, said it prevents grief when dealing with corporate about warranty issues.

As much as I thought it was bs, I just went with it per recommendation. 1 month later when 2nd gear broke a tooth, I dropped the bike, they fixed it right, and called me when it was done. No bullshit at all.

Good on you for doing the first service through a "qualified facility." Too bad they were incompetent. Call the folks in Detroit, and tell em the your dealer couldn't reset the wrench. They will most likely help.